Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Candy/Toy Packet Handmade Valentines- FREE PRINTABLES!

This girl loves boots!

 I wanted to come up with something fun for LJ's Mother's Day out class for Valentines Day.  I loved Valentines Day as a kid- it was such an exciting day!  At my school we always made hand decorated bags to put on the back of our chair for everyone to put a treat in.  That was the 80's, the good 'ole days where you didn't HAVE to give a Valentine to everyone in the class, only who you wanted to...but I never remember anyone not giving it to everybody.   I DO remember this little blonde kid named Steven who made me "roses" with a red pencil and his hand-held sharpener.  I kept those in my desk all year long!  Ah, my first Valentines Day roses.
Now as an adult, I still think the kids stuff is more fun.  I mean, I want my husband to do something...but I really care more about him loving me all year long rather than buying me some chocolate and roses on this one day, you know what I mean?


So, here is what I came up with for LJ's class- packets that you print, decorate, then attach with whatever method works for you- hand sewing with embroidery thread, machine sewing, or even stapling!  You can print on whatever you choose- regular printer paper, construction paper, old paper grocery bags...whatever floats your boat, okay?

Simply print using the links below, then cut them out.

  Let your little one go to town decorating them.

Then attach with your chosen method leaving a hole to insert candy, tiny toys, even a cookie!
Here is what's in ours:
plastic dollar store "clappers"

stickers 
...and some chocolate.  I gave in, since its kinda a chocolate-y holiday!

I used colorful embroidery thread to attach ours.  NOTE: Try not to overfill or you will have a hard time attaching them!


  Then shut the hole.

Voila, you are done!  Much cuter than those flimsy paper Valentine's with the envelope that will NEVER stay closed, haha!  Of course if your kids are older their decor skills will be better!  You could give them bits of lace, sequins, whatever you want.  I try not to be a control freak about projects like this.  I feel like it builds LJ's confidence for me to let her do things her way and not "fix" them or tell her what to do.  Could I make a prettier Valentine?  Sure, but I am an adult...and these are from her, not me!

Enjoy!  And please use these for personal use only (not that I think any of you will be impressed with my "artwork").  Let me know if you have any problems with the files- its my first time sharing a printable!  Suggestions are appreciated if you know of a better way!

Click HERE for "Valentine, You're a HOOT!"
Click HERE for "Valentine, You're the cat's MEOW!"
Click HERE for "Valentine, I HEART you!"

11 comments:

  1. Those are so cute! Love that the kids get to color them and then they are so much fun to open. I am a new follower visiting from The Girl Creative. Vicky from Mess For Less

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  2. Thanks Vicky! I will check out your blog!

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  3. These are very cute and you sound like a great mommy letting her do her own thing. That takes some serious control! Thanks for linking it to my Valentine Craft linky!

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    1. Thanks Michelle! I will keep checking out your linky as it grows, I'm sure there will be more fun ideas added daily!

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  4. So cute, love that your kids got to decorate them themselves =-) I am your newest follower. I'd love for you to follow me back, if you wan to =-) I also wanted to invite you to link up at my kid oriented linky party TGIF - http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties - I know my readers would love this too!
    Beth =-)

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    1. Thanks Beth! Will follow back and join in on the linky :)

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  5. Hi, I just found your blog and am your newest follower! This is such an ADORABLE craft, and awesome freebie (I am HUGE on Freebies!)! I'd LOVE for you to share this at my Thrifty Thursday linky party, where we share free or nearly free learning activities. This is PERFECT for it! Feel free to share a couple a week! http://www.playingwithwords365.com/2012/01/thrifty-thursday-7/

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  6. What a cute valentine!! My boys will LOVE making one. Thanks for sharing the links and for sharing the printable. Thanks for linking to Link It Up Thursday!

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  7. Thanks! I'd love to see a pic if they make them!!!

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I love your comments! Thanks so much! Please understand that I try my best to reply, but I am not always able to!